Potential Difference & Conductor Length (Edexcel International A Level (IAL) Physics): Revision Note

Potential Difference & Conductor Length

Potential difference

• A cell makes one end of the circuit positive and the other negative. This sets up a potential difference across the circuit

• The potential difference across a component in a circuit is defined as:

The energy transferred per unit charge

• The energy is transferred from electrical energy into other forms, depending on the component or device being used

• Potential difference is measured in volts (V), which is equivalent to joules per coulomb (J C⁻¹)

• The potential difference of a power supply connected in series is always shared between all the components in the circuit

The potential difference is the voltage across each component in a circuit

• Another description of energy transfer is work done

• Therefore, potential difference can also be defined as the work done per unit charge

Potential difference is the work done per unit charge

Measuring potential difference

•  Potential difference or voltage is measured using a voltmeter

  • A voltmeter is always set up in parallel to the component being measured

Potential difference can be measured by connecting a voltmeter in parallel between two points in a circuit

Conductor length

• The equation for resistivity is

• Where:

  • R = resistance (Ω)

  • ρ = resistivity (Ω m⁻¹)

  • l = length (m)

  • A = area (m⁻²)

• Therefore, as the length of a uniform conductor at constant temperature increases, resistance also increases

• Voltage and current are linked by Ohm's Law

• Where

  • V = potential difference (V)

  • I = current (A)

  • R = resistance (Ω)

• Therefore, as R increases, so must potential difference across the wire

  • Potential difference increases uniformly with length